The ACT and SAT are arguably the two most important tests students take during high school. In general, the ACT and the SAT tests attempt to measure college readiness and predict future academic success. Many colleges base admissions decisions in part on the results of standardized tests called the ACT and the SAT tests. Juniors and seniors in high school take these tests to demonstrate their readiness for college-level work. 

If you’re preparing for college admissions, you might be curious about the difference between the ACT and the SAT. While both are standardized tests that colleges and universities use as a benchmark when making admissions decisions, there are a few differences.

A strong vocabulary is much more essential on the SAT than it is on the ACT, with many questions designed that require students to read passages multiple times in order to understand and questions about what a certain word means. On the other hand, the ACT includes a science section designed to test reading and reasoning skills, as well as testing higher-level math than the SAT. The ACT is also much shorter than the SAT, so students with trouble focusing for a long period of time may find the ACT easier to sit through. Additionally, the ACT has an optional writing prompt, like the SAT where the writing section is also optional, although both are highly recommended by colleges for admission. 

Junior Renee Lotfy says, “I have opted to take the SAT instead of the ACT simply because it’s what I’ve been practicing,” while Junior Ashley Yeung says, “In my opinion, I like the ACT more than the SAT because the structure of the ACT is much easier to handle.” 

Colleges usually accept either the ACT or SAT scores of students; however, some may lean towards the SAT, since it’s older than the ACT. Nevertheless, the ACT and SAT have both been equally popular for several years now;the ACT even slightly surpasses the SAT. In 2012, the ACT test was taken by around 1,666,000 students while the SAT was taken by 1,664,000 students. A common misunderstanding is that the SAT is more desirable than the ACT. Colleges are willing to see both a student’s ACT or SAT scores to help determine if they will be admitted or not. 

Additionally, some students are taking both the ACT and SAT. Changes have been made to the SAT, making it easier to prep for both tests. By taking both of these tests, students are more likely to get accepted into a selected college. 

Taking the ACT or the SAT is completely up to you, and some may even consider taking both. Younger students are recommended to take it to find out sooner which test may suit them the best as well as let them start prepping earlier for the actual one they take junior or senior year. If you are interested, you can pay at the ASB office or online. 

Graphic courtesy of THERAMBLER.COM